Kareem Moore placed on PUP list by Redskins

The Washington Redskins made official what had been expected, announcing that backup free safety Kareem Moore will open the season on the physically-unable-to-perform list.

Moore, who started 11 games at free safety last season, has been working his way back from knee surgery in January, and hasn’t been able to practice all of preseason.

By placing the fourth-year veteran on the PUP list, the Redskins avoid having to use a spot on the 53-man roster to retain Moore, but they also don’t have to place him on the injured reserve list, which would eliminate any chance of him being used this season.

Instead, by being on the PUP list, Moore has more time to work his way back into form. He won’t be able to be added to the 53-man roster until Week 7 of the regular season.

The Redskins enter the season with only three healthy safeties. Reed Doughty is expected to start the season at strong safety, and Oshiomogho Atogwe at free safety. LaRon Landry is the team’s No. 1 strong safety, but he has missed all of the preseason while rehabbing from Achilles’ tendon and hamstring injuries. Landry won’t open the season on the PUP list, however. A Redskins player said that Landry participated in practice on Saturday, but another person familiar with the situation said that the fifth-year pro’s status for the Sept. 11 regular season opener remains in doubt.

Mike Jones covers the Washington Redskins for The Washington Post. When not writing about a Redskins development of some kind – which is rare – he can be found screaming and cheering at one of his kids’ softball, baseball, soccer or basketball games.